Minutes of evidence taken before the Departmental Committee on Cinematograph Films (1936)

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON CINEMATOGRAPH FILMS FIRST DAY Tuesday, 5th May, 1936 Present : The Rt. Hon. Lord MOYNE, D.S.O. (Chairman). Mr. A. C. CAMERON, M.C., M.A. Mr. J. S. HOLMES, MP. Dr. J. J. MALLON, LL.D., J. P. The Hon. ELEANOR M. PLUMER, Lt.-Col. Sir ARNOLD WILSON, K.C.I. E., C.S.I. , C.M.G., D.S.O., M.P. Mr. W. H. L. PATTERSON (Secretary). Mr. R. D. Fennelly, representing the Board of Trade, called and examined. The Committee had before them the following memorandum by the Board of Trade: I. — The position before the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927. 1. It has been estimated that in the year 1914 some 25 per cent, of the films shown in Great Britain were made in this country. Under stress of war conditions, however, production declined not only in the United Kingdom but in the chief Continental countries, and the United States were able to obtain almost a monopoly of the world markets in a form of entertainment which was rapidly growing in public favour. The dominating position thus secured by the United States made the recovery of film production in the United Kingdom after the war increasingly difficult, and although in the year 1923 it is estimated that about 10 per cent, of the films exhibited in this country were British, yet the proportion of British films displayed about the beginning of 1927 was not more than about 5 per cent. Of the balance 85 to 90 per cent, were of United States origin. Whereas in the year 1924 the total number of " feature " films made in this country appears to have been about 58, the output had fallen in 1925 to 34 and in 1926 to 26, together with perhaps three or four from the Empire overseas. There was in fact some danger of production in this country ceasing altogether. 2. The domination of United States films in the post-War period was due to the following factors amongst others — (i) There was in the United States a vast and growing home market. There were by 1926 some 22,000 cinema theatres in the U.S.A. as compared with about 3,000 in this country. (ii) The opportunities offered by the industry induced reputable people to sink a very large capital in the industry. (iii) The best technicians and the best " stars T' were consequently attracted to the United States, and the large home market enabled the production of costly films to be undertaken. (iv) In technical methods and research the United States consequently progressed during the War and after it far beyond producers in other countries. 36452 3. Arising out of the fact that they were distributing the best films in the world the United States subsidiary renting organisations in this country took advantage of the position to obtain a strong hold over the exhibitor. A much advertised film was only hired to him if he contracted to take with it a number of other films, many of which he had not even seen and some of which might not even have been made. This was the system known as " block " booking and " blind " booking and the effect was to tie the exhibitor to one or more renters for a long period ahead. Moreover, these renting organisations could afford to advertise a film so thoroughly that an exhibitor was almost driven to hire it. 4. As a result when a good film was produced in this country so many exhibitors were booked up for long periods ahead that the producer could not place the film and had to stand out of his money over considerable periods. This naturally put a brake on production, and it was not easy to attract money to the industry. British films, too, began to be booked before they were actually made, and the budget of production costs was assessed on the bookings — with at times unfortunate results for the exhibitor. 5. By 1925 the depressed state of the British industry was causing general concern. Apart from the purely industrial aspect of the matter, it was felt that from the point of view of British culture and ideals it was unwise to allow the United States to dominate the cinemas of this country. At that period nearly every film shown represented American ideas set out in an American atmosphere, and the accessories were American houses, American materials, American manufactures, etc. Whatever the position to-day, cinematograph audiences then were made up of the most impressionable sections of the community, and it was felt to be of the utmost importance for our prestige, for our trade and, it was even asserted, for our morals that they should see at least some proportion of British films. In other words, it was felt that a British film industry was a national asset. Protracted discussions took place between the Board of Trade and the Federation of British Industries and the trade organisations concerned, and an attempt was made by the industry to secure an increased exhibition of British films by voluntary effort.